and ain't i a woman?: Sexism and anorexia

Sexism and anorexia

I wrote these thoughts down last May. Looking back on them now, I am
shocked by what I wrote. They seem so desperate. It's so hard to comprehend
how anyone can become so focussed on the impossible goal of “the perfect
weight” that they are more than willing to lose their life in pursuit of
it.

Three years ago, at age 14, I developed Anorexia nervosa. Contrary
to popular belief, this was not a diet gone wrong, but stemmed from my
own feelings of inadequacy. The capitalist society we live in is one which
forces women to aspire to and seek a body shape that is often unattainable.
This pressure is felt strongly throughout adolescence. It is not surprising
then that so many young women develop feelings of failure and worthlessness,
which can lead to many serious mental and physical health problems.

Sexism is the root cause of the rising rate of eating disorders, low
self-esteem and depression among young women. Although women today have
more liberties than ever before, many do not feel free at all.

Capitalist society acts as though it owns women, our bodies, our lives
and has the right to tell us what we can do and when we can do it. Its
cultural stereotype of attractiveness is one that portrays beauty and acceptance
as being reserved for those who are thin.

It is difficult to separate one's self from the ideals which society
has created. This may cause women to try to overcome their natural tendency
toward a fuller figure.

Despite playing a big part in the development of unhealthy body images
and eating disorders in young women, this society takes little responsibility
for their rehabilitation. One of the most painful moments throughout my
battle with anorexia occurred after being hospitalised for sudden weight-loss,
only to be told by the hospital that it didn't have enough resources to
help me.

Disregarding the information my doctors had given, the hospital couldn't
deal with my situation. Like many women with eating disorders who go looking
for help, I felt abandoned and more alone than ever before. Just when I
had reached the stage of accepting help, I was sent away. This left me
feeling that not only had I failed everyone by developing an eating disorder,
I had failed at being important enough for my eating disorder to be treated.

On seeing my doctor after discharge, I was informed that my situation
was nothing unusual. Similar situations frequently happen, the public health
system coming across as uninterested, uncaring and unconcerned, the private
health system often not an option due its cost. No-one should have to pay
the thousands of dollars required to receive treatment they desperately
need.

While in hospital, I met another young woman of 14 who was repeatedly
cutting her wrists so she could return to hospital. This was her way of
crying out for help. But when she had asked for help, she was cast aside,
and she therefore saw hurting herself as the only way that anyone would
take her seriously. Still, she was not receiving the help she was so desperate
for.

As women continue to fight for liberation, we need to address the issue
of ridding society of circumstances which make women feel inadequate or
worthless.

BY CARRIE TRAYNOR

@column =

[The author is a member of the socialist youth organisation, Resistance.]

From Green Left Weekly, April 10, 2002.

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From GLW issue 487